. >>> new information about pope benedict's health tops the stories around the "news nation" today. the pope fitted with a pacemaker and that its battery replaced three months ago in the secret operation. the spokesman said it was routine and played no part in the pope's decision to step down. >>> people take a look at this. a bolt of lightning striking st. peter's basilica in a storm hours after the pope made his announcement. this is not photo shopped, doctored. not a movie. thousands of passengers stranded on a cruise ship in the gulf of mexico slowly heading back to the u.s. coast guard tugboats are towing the vessel and 3,000 passengers to mobile, alabama, but are not expected to get there until thursday. passengers on beboard described deteriorating conditions. sewage coming down the walls. no air. the toilets also not working. ugh. >>> and our "news nation" "gut check" is next. nbc's first read team said tonight is president obama's first chance to push congress to do something big. for bill clinton, education reform. do you think president obama will be able to persuade cong